sage grouse

We had a caller, Jeff from Butte, on Monday's statewide radio show. He loved the fact that Governor John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner in the hit TV show Yellowstone, fired his entire policy team.

The wide-ranging, chicken-sized bird has seen a dramatic population drop in recent decades.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration in 2019 from relaxing rules imposed under the Obama administration that restricted mining, drilling and grazing across millions of acres.

The ground-dwelling greater sage grouse is at the center of a bitter conflict between the administration and conservationists.

Morris struck down administration policies that have allowed more drilling in sage grouse habitat.

Sage grouse have suffered sharp declines because of development, disease, drought and wildfires.

A federal judge in Idaho blocked the Trump administration plans last year over concerns that they could harm greater sage grouse, a ground-dwelling bird.

The ranchers sued in 2018, aiming for more grazing rights.

Local officials recently denied the project.

Idaho and Wyoming back the Trump administration plan that eases restrictions on energy companies and other industries.